![]()
Lost in America is a documentary that will shed light on the state of youth homelessness in America. For the past 9 months, Rotimi Rainwater, Steve Vasquez, Jorge Rivera, Chris Dowske, and Brandon Bennet have travelled the country gathering the stories of homeless youth. We've interviewed members of the House of Representatives, the US Senate, and leaders of local and national organizations dedicated to changing the lives for homeless youth.
![]()
But it all started here. This past spring we did our first IndieGoGo campaign and it was a great success. Not only did we meet our goal, but we got the attention of a few key investors that have allowed us to go on many of the trips we've taken. With the help of the masses, we've been able to do this important work. Check out the video below and see for yourself!
![]()
- It is estimated that there are between 1.3 and 2.8 million homeless youth on the streets.
- 5,000 homeless youth die on the streets every year as a result of assault, illness, or suicide.
- 40% of America's homeless youth identify as LGBT - Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender.
- There are only 5,000 beds available nationwide for homeless people that classify as "youth."
- Over 50% of homeless youth in shelters and on the streets report that they were told to leave home by their parents or their parents knew they were leaving and didn't care.
- The average age a youth becomes homeless is 14.7 years old.
![]()
***
![]()
Why do these youth take to the streets? There are three main reasons youth end up homeless:
-
A home for them, simply doesn't exist. Either through a parent or guardian's death or as a circumstance of poverty, they have no home to go to.
-
Home isn't safe due to either sexual, physical, or emotional abuse.
- The people at home, don't want them. 40% of all homeless youth identify as LGBT, many of them find themselves on the street as a result of being thrown out of the home after coming out to their families.
![]()
***
![]()
This film is a very personal journey for all of the team, particularly for Rotimi. On our first campaign, we asked Rotimi to write a bit about his story, but since we've been filming, we asked him to share his story for us. Here it is.
![]()
So why are we back? Well we need more help. We're very close to being finished with production and at this point we can't stop. Why can't we stop, well because these youth are still on the streets; struggling and dying every single day. So we've come back to ask you, humbly and from the bottom of our hearts, for more help.
The DETAILS:
The entire budget we need to finish production is $35,000. But we are not asking for that much, well kind of. What we're asking for, right now, is to shoot the next leg of production which will cost $18,000. We're asking for this because we can't wait for Hollywood to discover what we're doing, and because quite honestly the youth we're talking to are still on the streets, still trying to survive, and they need people like you, to stand up for them and make people realize that they need help. So we're making this film piece by piece.
Our journey will take us all over the country. First,we'll go back to San Francisco where we will be with a couple, Makayla & Connor who struggle to make it in a city where it's becoming more and more difficult to find safe places to stay. Then we're going to Oregon to hop a freight train with Cecil to truly experience life on the road. We're going back to Salt Lake City to spend more time with sex trafficking victims as well as going to Denver where we'll meet up with Calub a 17 year forced to live under a bridge because she's not allowed to go home. Then we're going to Florida or Chicago to tell more stories of these amazing youth who struggle to make it in a country that has forgotten about them.
![]()
![]()
To the right you will see all of our incentives but we wanted to highlight a few here below.
-
The Traveler's Journey | $25: This limited perk will give you access to an exclusive club. While on the road, we will be meeting tons of youth that travel the country. We'll ask them to send us pictures from the road and we will put them together in a digital picture book and send them to you.
-
The Spirit Challenge | $35: This limited perk is one that will directly help homeless youth in San Francisco. On the road we met a 16 year old artist named Stephon through Youth Spirit Art Works an organization who helps homeless youth through art projects. We have commissioned Stephon to design a t-shirt for us and for every shirt purchase we are going to donate 1/2 the proceeds directly to Youth Spirit Art Works to help them continue their work.
![]()
-
Voice to the Voiceless | $100 : Nobody listens to homeless youth so we'll be giving them a voice. We are preparing an event in Washington, DC where we'll give homeless youth and organizations a stage to be heard. With this perk you will be there, get to be on stage and share your passion. (Sorry, flights not included)
-
Become An Activist | $250: Want to help the homeless in your city? We'll give you the tools needed to do this! This perk will give you an advance copy of the film as well as posters and tips on hosting a successful fundraiser. Any money you collect from the fundraiser can be used to feed the homeless in your city or donated to a local charity of your choice!
-
The Premier Package | $500 : You will get 2 tickets to our LA premier and red carpet event as well as admittance to the premier party!
Other Ways You Can Help
Now we understand that not everyone can donate. So what else can you do to help?
- Please help us spread the word about our campaign. Email your friends, post on your page, share, share, share!!!
- We thank you so much for everything. And please remember, were doing this because someone has to give a voice to these youth. Please help us.